Chapter Four

Early morning the next day William led Eliza out once again to London streets to visit the Undertaker as Eliza had a note from the Council to relay to him. The streets were busy, horses and carriages trotting down the stone rode, either dropping people off or picking them up. For being so early, London was alive once more. "I've heard of him and seen photos of him. Is he just as they depict?"

With his hands folded behind his back, William led the way a little ahead of Eliza. "I suppose. What did he look like?"

"A long silver haired reaper."

"Well…he's not a reaper anymore. His glasses are gone, as well as his uniform. He's a mortician now."

"I heard that." She admired London's streets. "Is London always this busy?"

"Have you not been here?"

She reached up to tighten her ponytail, eyes trailing over William's back. "Not often, no. Even so, I haven't been in London before. England yes, but not London."

"Ah. Well, I've only really known London. I haven't had a chance to visit the rest of the world though I do wish I had the chance."

"A Supervisor job does not allow for much travel, hm?"

"No it does not." He turned his head slightly to glance back at her. "I take it you travel?"

"I used too before I was promoted to Council Representative." Sighing, she let her eyes travel over the stores until coming across a floral shop. Unannounced to William, she headed for the shop, eying the flowers in the bouquet at the front of the window.

"And you've been the Representative for long then most, so you must be doing something right. Anyhow, do you know what the note you are meant to give Undertaker says?" he asked, waiting for the quick reply she normally gave. "Eliza?" he turned his head, his body quickly following seeing Eliza at the window of the floral shop. "Miss?"

Her eyes drifted from the flowers to him. "What?"

"Are you coming?"

"Oh, ah, yes." She jogged back to him. "I apologize. A flower just caught my eye."

"And what is that?"

"Camellia. They're beautiful flowers." She pointed to the pink flower. "That one."

"Ah. It looks like a lovely flower indeed."

"It is." She thought as she looked up to William. "Do you have a favorite flower?"

"The black rose."

She blinked though she knew she shouldn't be surprised. This was William and from their first just meeting him, she could tell he was a bit of the dark side, more so then a normal reaper. "Are you saying so because it truly is or because of who you are?"

"It is. I've always liked the black rose even alive."

"Well…to each their own I suppose."

"Yes, now we have a message to deliver."

"Ah, yes. I apologize again for getting distracted."

"Tch. You are nowhere near as easily distracted as my subordinates." They began walking again. "I swear. They'll see something shiny and rear off from their collection or paperwork."

"The young ones or older ones as well?"

"Both." He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Most of them are far more trouble than running into a demon. Sutcliffe is a wonderful example of that."

"I've heard of him. He was the red head, yes?"

"Yes." He took a deep breath before dropping his hand to his side. "Now, as I asked to no one before, do you know what the note says?"

"No. I don't. They told me not to read it."

"Ah."

"Now how far is Undertakers now?"

"Not too far." She nodded, continuing to follow him, freely taking glances at the stoic reaper. She kept her small smile hidden from his sight, a tiny blush forming, but quickly turning when he glanced at her. "Miss?"

"Yes?"

"Is there something on my face?"

"No, why?"

"You've been looking at me quite a lot."

"I was just admiring the determination in your eyes. Every time I see you, you have it."

'Determination to steal from the Council or manipulate you' he thought. "Thank you." She gave a nod, the smile slipping back onto her lips.

They came to a stop at Undertakers shop, Eliza admired the building. "…I see. This is perfect for a mortician."

"Inside is far stranger." William said, pushing open the door, holding it open for Eliza.

"Thank you." She said with a nod, passing William to enter the shop where she paused a second time. From the many coffins in different shapes, sizes and colors, to all the strange jars and artifacts that lined the shelves of Undertaker's shop. A few cobwebs were scattered above in the corner of the ceiling, one or two spiders could be seen nesting in them, a trapped fly caught. "Inviting."

"It fits his job." William said entering the shop behind her, the door closing after him.

"I…suppose." She rubbed her arm. "It's a bit unsettling."

"Undertaker himself is a bit unsettling." He stepped into the center of the seemingly empty shop. "Undertaker sir!"

"I don't think anyone's here." She said.

"He often pops out from behind a coffin." He said moving to the one Undertaker usually rested in when he wasn't busy. "Sir?" he asked opening the lid, only to find it empty. "Hm. I suppose he isn't here."

Eliza crossed her arms. "Well, let's return at a later date. I'm not comfortable here." However, the door to the shop swung open, the few lit candles blowing out, the two reapers quickly turning to the door. William took Eliza's shoulders, yanking her back, scythe at the ready, the silhouette at the door not giving away any detail of who stood there. "Who are you?" William demanded, standing tall.

The silhouette entered the shop, the door swinging closed behind it, ignoring the two reapers then both of them realized that silhouette was just that. It had no physical properties but shadows that seemed attracted to it. Even their shadows from the light through the windows were pulled into the being. "William?"

"I…what is that?"

"You're guess is as good as mine." She stepped from behind William, a longer, sharper version of the training scythe appearing in her hand. "You have no right to be here."

"Eliza." William warned.

"William." She took a quick glance back over her shoulder. "Come. This…thing is not meant to be here."

"We don't even know what this is, Miss." He stepped forward to her, grabbing her arm. "Please, do not engage it."

"Then what do you propose we do?"

"Let it do as it wishes."

"What?!"

"I know what I'm doing."

Eliza stepped back beside him. "Fine." William nodded his thanks as they continued to watch the shadow move about, searching for something.

Then in another instant, the door swung open a second time, a bright flame illuminating the entire shop, the shadow disbanding, their own shadows returning to under their feet, Undertaker stepping into the shop. "Another who comes to visit." He walked to the other candles, lighting them.

"…Undertaker…sir?" William asked.

Undertaker turned to the two he hadn't noticed, smiling. "Well, hello lambs. What brings you here? I see no dead meaning you came for information, yes?" he snickered. "I should say, I see no corpse as two dead stand before me."

Eliza stepped forward, pushing William back slightly, her scythe disappearing. "What was that?"

"Oh, just a little pet."

"Pet? Undertaker, I demand you tell me this instant what that thing was and where it came from."

Undertaker's smile grew, his long, black nails, tapping her nose. "Now, let's not talk about what you saw, yes?"

"No." she smacked his hand away. "What was it?!"

"Eliza." William took her arm again, pulling her back. "Please. It's not best to arguing with him." He whispered to her.

"Fine." She shook him off. "I'm here to deliver a message from the Council." She said removing the note from her pocket. "Here."

Undertaker gave a small pout as he took the note, thinking of a more annoying thing then what he read. Instantly, the pout was gone when he read the note. "Well, is that all? Are we done? Or do you want to purchase a coffin? I'll gladly give you a discount for a laugh."

William shook his head. "No thank you sir, but that's all we came for."

"Then care for some cookies and tea?" Undertaker asked, biscuit jar in one hand, bone shaped cookie in the other.

"No thank you again. We should return to the Library." William placed his hand to Eliza's back, leading her out, closing the door behind him.

"I demand to know what that was."

William sent his own scythe away. "I don't know but questioning Undertaker isn't the best thing to do."

"Why not?"

"It…it just isn't. I learnt that the hard way when he was my mentor."

"…William."

"Please."

They stared at one another for a minute or so, before she gave a sigh, crossing her arms. "Fine. I…I won't question it, but I won't forget it."

"Thank you." They took up walking again.

"…is he always that strange?"

"Yes. After he retired he became even…odder. As my mentor, I remember him being a tad more serious than this, but I suppose that is what being a reaper does. For most of us, our humor is taken away in replace for us to work properly."

She eyed him, his eyes seeming to dim just a bit. "Is something bothering you?"

"No…" he met her eyes. "Now, let's return so you can continue your evaluation.

Eric had plans to go out with a few acquaintances to one of their favorite pubs, but as they passed Alan's office, Eric was curious. "Ah, you two go on ahead. I'm gonna check on Al."

The other blonde rolled his eyes. "Ah, leave 'im Eric. Wouldn't want to come anyway."

"Yeah. If he did, wouldn't do anythin' but complain about how drinkin's bad for ya." The black haired reaper added.

"Never said 'e was gonna join us. Just, leave without me. Might see ya later." With that the other two left with a shrug, as Eric opened Alan's door. He wasn't surprised to find it empty. It wasn't uncommon to find it like this, but Eric never knew where Alan went. As much as he questioned him, Alan kept his mouth shut. Eric had his suspicions that Alan had a sort of secret lover but he never came back with any evidence that proved that. No swollen lips, no disheveled state, no love marks, nothing. "Damn it Al." he sighed, closing the door.

"Did Alan kick you out of his office?"

Eric turned to Thea, shoving his hands into his pocket. "Ah, nope. He's not around. Does that. Just kinda ups and leaves."

Thea frowned, looking at two tickets she held. "Oh…I was hoping he was there."

"Why?"

"Well, I have two tickets to an Opera tonight that my friend gave me as her date canceled. I wanted to take Ronald but his head still hurts from the previous night so I was hoping Alan would be here. I figured he'd enjoy an Opera."

Eric smirked. "Lad likes any artsy things. Rather good artist himself."

"He is?"

"Yeah. Paints almost like a professional. If ya get the chance, ask 'im ta show you somethin'. He likes the attention he gets from it."

"I'll have to do that, but, that still doesn't mean I have someone to go with me to the Opera."

Eric shrugged. "I'll go with ya if ya want. Got nothin' better ta do."

Thea eyed him. "Are you sure? You don't look like the type that would enjoy and Opera."

"Ah, 'm willin' ta give anythin' a try."

"Al, ah, alright." He passed him a ticket.

"Right, let's go."

They walked sad beside as they entered the mortal realm, heading to the theater. Though the streets were noisy, they made no contribution to the noise as an awkward silence fell between them. Eric was a man who normally made flirty talk with women, however considering this was Ronald's love, he could really think of nothing to say. He wasn't the best at normal banter as Thea was a bit intimated by the man that had a reputation of harming those who bad talked him or Alan. "So, um, what do you do when you're not at working or at a pub?"

"Read."

"Really? What do you read?"

"Horror. Blood. Mystery."

"I…I like mysteries."

"Great."

"…ah, right, um…so…any past lovers?"

Eric slowly turned to her. "What?"

"Any past lovers?"

"Why?"

"Ah….making conversation?"

"Right, well, ah, not really. One, two maybe."

"Okay."

Eric blew a strand of hair from his eyes. "So…you have any past lovers?"

"No. Ron's kinda the first."

"Really? A good lookin' lass like yourself?"

Thea blinked. "Um, no, but thank you."

"Ah, yeah…um, I wasn't tryin' ta flirt."

"Yeah, yep, I know."

"Good." Eric sighed, eyes trying to find something to catch his attention as well as trying to come up with something to talk about. Even if it was the silliest or a random thing. At least it was something. "I'm shit at small talk."

She smiled. "So am I, so don't worry about it."

He laughed. "Great."

"Yeah…do you think we're okay dressed like this?"

"Ah, were fine like this. Dun want Ron ta get jealous."

"He's not the type, is he?"

"Ya know, dunno. Might be. Never really been too serious about anyone." He stretched, folding his arms behind his head. "You might be the one."

Thea shook her head. "I doubt that. Ronald seems like someone who won't find his 'one' so easily."

"Ah, ya never know."

"I do know. Ronald wouldn't be so hasty in love."

"No? Ah, we'll see, yeah?"

"I…suppose."

Eric gave a shrug and continued to scan the area as he normally did when Alan was with him, wanting to protect the weaker reaper but a pair of red eyes caught his attention. He quickly glance over the being, his mind clicking back to a picture Grell showed him with the red head and another being looking suspiciously like the man Grell called his Sebby darling. "Demon."

"What?"

He stopped, stopping Thea as well. "Hey, I, ah got somethin' I need ta do, alright?"

"Alright. Does that mean you're not joining me?"

"I'll join ya when 'm done, yeah? Won't be a minute."

"Alright…"

He winked. "Be quick." He saluted then ran off, pocketing the ticket as he followed the demon. Not sure if the creature could sense him, he bounded onto the rooftops, following him from above. It seemed Alan's feeling was right. As far as he was concerned, Grell had told him that the demon was gone, so why had he returned? Why was he here? What did Sebastian have to do? Who did he want to see? Those questions flopped around in his mind as he continued to follow the demon, using the shadows cast to hide when the demon did pause to look around, including the roofs.

Bounding to the next roof, he quickly found the demon had gone, disappeared and not to be seen. "The hell?"

Suddenly, his back was slammed against a smoke stack, the bricks cracking under the force, the demons forearm pressing against Eric's neck. "Fucker." Eric cursed.

"Gentlemen do not use such crude language." Sebastian said.

"Who said I was a gentleman?"

"I assumed all reapers were taught to be so."

"Case ya 'aven't noticed, not all of us listened ta what we were taught." He quickly snapped his leg up, kicking Sebastian away from him. "So, you're Grell's dreamy demon, hey?"

Sebastian straightened. "I suppose so, now who might you be?"

Eric summoned his scythe, a smirk on his lips. "Guess ya can know. Eric Slingby. And I ain't known for lettin' a demon go without a fight."

Sebastian flicked out his wrists, catching the butter knives between his fingers. "I'll gladly let you tire yourself."

"I may be old, but 'm not that old." He swung his scythe to his side. "Now shut up and fight."

"Gladly."

Eric was quick to block the three knives that came flying at him, even barely blocking the demons punch. In retaliation, Eric kicked him back again, following with a sprit forward, slicing the demons tailcoat, drawing blood as the demon quickly moved to the side.

Sebastian scowled at the rip then jumped up, avoiding the scythe that swung back at him, landing with kick to Eric's chest, then a flicking a knife toward him, the blade entering Eric's bicep, the reaper only giving a grunt of pain before ripping the knife out, sending it flying back to its owner where Sebastian caught it between his fingers again, before running forth and meeting Eric's scythe with his knives, the two of them locking eyes. "This fight is pointless, don't you think?"

Eric snarled. "Not when I can kill ya." With that, he swiped Sebastian's legs from under him and brought his scythe down only to have Sabastian flip back on his hands, Sebastian's feet kicking into Eric's chest as he flipped sending the reaper to his back behind Sebastian who turned around to send another knife into Sebastian shoulder, a smile on his lips. "Do you agree with me now?"

"Fuck off." He cursed flipping up. He sent his scythe away, cracking his knuckles. "Hand ta hand. Come on."

Sighing, Sebastian dropped his knives, giving Eric what he wanted. The punches were thrown, blocked, kicks hit, bruises formed, blood came from cut lips, until Sebastian had enough and flipped back, landing atop a smoke stack. "I'm sorry Mister Slingby, but I have maters to attend to." With a grand bow, he flipped back off the roof leaving Eric alone under the full moon.

Eric scowled then jumped off the opposite side of roof, rubbing his shoulder. "Ass."

"Eric!"

Eric looked up to find Alan's by his side, worry shining in his partners eyes. "Al?"

"Eric, what happened to you?"

Eric knew if he told Alan who he fought; Alan's mind would go to the worse scenario. "Just, had a run in with a demon, is all."

"A demon? Are you alright?"

"Yeah, yeah. 'm fine." He continued to rub his shoulder. "…beat 'im." He lied as he felt Sebastian had one that battle.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah." He smiled. "Just, gonna go to the infirmary…oh!" he reached into his pocket, handing Alan a ticket. "'ere. Thea wanted ya ta go with her to the Opera."

"…the Opera?" he asked, taking the ticket.

"Yeah."

"Alright…are you-"

"Yes!" he laughed, ruffling Alan's hair. "'m fine lad. Go have fun."

Eric ushered Alan in the direction of the Theatre and Alan felt he had to go. If Thea wanted him to join her, he would. Besides, he enjoyed Operas and plays. So he made his way there, found his seat and greeted Thea. "Hello."

"Alan!" she smiled. "You scared me."

"I'm sorry."

"It's alright. I'm glad you're here, but where's Eric?"

"He had a run in with a demon apparently and went to the infirmary."

"Oh. Well, I hope he's alright."

"It's Eric. He can survive anything."

"Well, I'm glad to hear he's going to be okay." She smiled then thought of a question she had wanted to ask earlier that day. "Say, have you thought of a reason why Ronald and I couldn't sense that demon last night?"

Alan blinked. "…no. No I haven't."

"Then don't worry about it. I'm sure it's just a phase."

"Yes…" though he wanted to believe Thea, something didn't feel quite right about it.